The Premier League is preparing a financial shake-up that could hit Chelsea hard if not carefully managed.

According to The Guardian, clubs could soon face automatic six-point deductions if they spend recklessly, with the new rules set for a vote in November.

The New Rule: Squad-Cost Ratio (SCR)

The system, known as the squad-cost ratio (SCR), will cap how much clubs can spend on player wages, transfers, and agent fees. The limit? 85% of a club’s income.

If a team goes more than 30% over this limit, they’ll immediately be docked six points. Even harsher penalties could follow for more extreme breaches. Smaller overspends, meanwhile, will attract fines — though the Premier League has suggested the first year will be treated more leniently to give clubs time to adjust.

What sets SCR apart from the current Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) is timing. Under PSR, clubs like Everton and Nottingham Forest have been punished years after breaking the rules, leading to confusion and inconsistent penalties.
SCR will work in real time. If Chelsea overspend in the 2025/26 season, the punishment could come during that season, directly affecting the league table. No more waiting, no more appeals dragging on for years.

Why Chelsea Fans Should Care

Chelsea’s transfer strategy under Todd Boehly has been bold, to say the least. Huge spending sprees have brought in the likes of Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, Nicolas Jackson, and Christopher Nkunku. While much of this has been offset by clever amortisation deals, the new SCR rules mean there will be much less room to manoeuvre.

Unlike UEFA’s 70% spending cap, which applies only to clubs in Europe, the Premier League’s version would affect Chelsea domestically. That means any misstep could cost us valuable points in the middle of a title race or battle for Champions League qualification.

Clubs will vote in November on whether to adopt SCR. If approved, it would come into effect for the 2025/26 season. If not, the current PSR system will remain in place until at least 2026/27.
For Chelsea, this is more than just an accounting exercise. It could dictate transfer policy, wage structure, and the ability to compete with Europe’s elite — all while ensuring the club avoids the nightmare scenario of being docked six points in a crucial campaign.